EV & Hybrid Car Theft: Why Electric Vehicles Are Now Being Targeted – And How to Secure Them

Key Takeaways:

• The theft of electric vehicles is a growing concern
• Criminals are rapidly adapting their methods to target these high-value vehicles
• Electric and hybrid models can be stripped of valuable parts for resale
• A layered approach is best to mitigate the risks

The theft of electric vehicles is no longer a niche activity and it’s now becoming a growing concern.

The car history checking firm, HPI looked at more than 864,000 electric cars and found that only 0.1% were stolen last year. By comparison, the figure for all vehicles sat at 0.2%.

The overall risk may be small, but some electric models attract far more unwanted attention than others, it found.

Topping the list is the Kia E-Niro Electric Estate, followed closely by the Hyundai Ioniq 5 Electric Hatchback and the Kia EV6 Electric Estate. The Volkswagen Golf Electric and Jaguar I-Pace also appear in the top tier.

The firm’s data highlights several geographical clusters and, excluding Greater London, places the West Midlands at the top with 104 thefts. The East of England followed with 59, then the North West on 56 and the South East on 43.

The increasing theft trend suggests that as EV adoption accelerates, criminals are rapidly adapting their methods to target these high-value vehicles.

What EV thieves are stealing

A major reason these vehicles are being targeted lies partly in their high-voltage lithium-ion battery packs. They attract thieves because they are worth a lot of money in export markets or for off-grid use.

There’s no doubt that stolen EV batteries can be resold quickly to locations where demand outstrips supply. Considering that some luxury models have a replacement battery price tag of £5,000 – £15,000, it’s not hard to see the attraction for thieves.

Along with the batteries, there are other high value components, such as infotainment modules, charging cables and the specialist hardware.

That makes electric and hybrid models ripe for parts stripping rather than just joyriding.

It’s worth noting that the copper in charging cables is making them an increasingly popular target too.

EV vulnerabilities to know

Most electric vehicle drivers won’t be aware of their vehicle’s security vulnerabilities.

One big issue lies in the so-called frunk, or front-boot, and other accessible compartments. Thieves can exploit access gained through non-traditional entry points to gain wiring access.

However, a more concerning issue is the rise of CAN bus attacks. The CAN (Controller Area Network) bus is the internal wiring system linking electronic control units inside a vehicle. It lacks built-in encryption or authentication, making message injection or spoofing a real concern.

In one documented case, thieves accessed the wiring behind a headlight control unit and sent fake CAN messages to the powertrain systems, bypassing the factory installed immobiliser entirely.

Another common exploit is the keyless entry relay or signal amplification attack. That’s when a thief stands near a property and captures the key fob signal, while another thief stands near the vehicle. The car thinks the key is present and so unlocks the doors and starts.

Because EVs have complex systems, they offer thieves an entry point as they are connected via charging systems, networks and charging infrastructure.

Security upgrades for EV owners

So, what can EV owners do to mitigate risk? A layered approach works best and includes:

• Faraday pouch for your key fob: Store your fob in a signal blocking pouch to stop relay attacks. Keyless theft is one of the fastest-growing vehicle crimes in the UK
• Aftermarket immobiliser system: Installing a specialist immobiliser that integrates without obvious visual cues can deter thieves. For example, the system from Ghost Immobiliser connects to the vehicle’s CAN bus and requires a user-defined PIN before the car will start
• Wheel locks, tracking and VIN etching: It might sound a tad old school, but adding physical deterrents still helps. That includes wheel locks, GPS tracking units, etching the vehicle’s VIN onto batteries and major parts making them harder to resell
• Park smart and charge safely: When possible, park in well-lit, secure areas. At home, ensure your charging point is protected and the cable is locked
• Firmware updates and security audits: Since many EV vulnerabilities stem from software or hardware flaws, check with your manufacturer for updates. If you buy used, ensure the vehicle has had all relevant recall or update work carried out.

Fit a Ghost Immobiliser or Vehicle Tracker

Electric vehicles offer huge gains for drivers and the planet, but criminals are adapting and doing so quickly. They are targeting batteries, abusing connectivity, exploiting CAN-bus weaknesses and keyless systems.

The risk is real and growing in the UK.

By adopting a combination of good habits and strong hardware, owners can make a big difference. However, for the best protection consider installing a Ghost Immobiliser which is a stealth system built for this challenge. Also consider a Thatcham Approved vehicle tracker.

Don’t wait until a theft incident occurs because your vehicle, battery and peace of mind are worth it.

Jonny Mason